Opinions on major problem...

knightking21 · 10-17-2005, 05:30 PM

Hello everyone,

I have a 120 Gallon Tank that sprung a leak last year. I resealed it by stripping all of the old silicone out with a razor bade, cleaned the surfaces and use aquarium grade silicone to reseal. I examined the tank after completion of the job and there did not appear to be any sort of bubbles. Today I noticed while feeding that in the left front corner of the tank there are a couple of 1/2 inch long bubbles in the corners at the deepest point in the silicone. These bubbles are about a third of the way up from the bottom of the tank. I don't believe these bubbles were there before as i inspected the tank carefully before adding water.

I am just curious to what is going on. Am I in for a catastrophic flood? Keep in mind the tank has not leaked a drop of water in three months.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks....P.S. The tank has about 75 lbs of live rock so far and several soft corals along with a Naso tang, Yellow Tang and two true Perc's so if this thing leaks it will be major headache. Thanks again

ski1297 · 10-17-2005, 06:24 PM

I would set up a new tank, I like to play it safe. Hard to say.

Loverotties · 10-17-2005, 06:52 PM

Welcome to TRT!Can you post a pic or two of the area micro?

VWD · 10-17-2005, 06:56 PM

Welcome to TRT! and it is hard to say , How bad was the first leak.

tims · 10-17-2005, 08:07 PM

do you see any salt creep in those area?

Brent Cone · 10-17-2005, 08:17 PM

New! Tank! Time! Trash! it! now Iv had friends with the same deal, Junk IT!!!!!

skeety · 10-17-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims

do you see any salt creep in those area?

Good question. No salt creep...no leak.

If there is salt creep, that means the leak is still active.

knightking21 · 10-17-2005, 08:42 PM

the first time it was a slow leak. By the time I found it probably 10 gallons or so. No salt on the corner this time. Also, it almost looks like the silicone is seperating.
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I would post a pic, but my digital camera broke a few days ago
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If a did buy the same size tank (120 g-60" x 26" H x 18deep) to replace it would be 205.00 from pet supermarket (all glass aquarium). what would be the best process to swap tanks from stand.

VWD · 10-17-2005, 10:42 PM

a few rubbermaid tubs ( big ones) then save as much water as You can. The remove old tank and replace with new and then You can make any type of change to the rock sand bed or what ever. be good to go, Finish in a half day

knightking21 · 10-17-2005, 11:42 PM

I'm thinking of buying the new tank placing it on the ground in the same room, then tanking the water and livestock out of the old tank and putting it in the new. Then remove the empty old tank from the stand placing it on the ground next to the new tank and transfering from new to old. Then finally i would put the empty new tank on the stand and pump the water up into the new from the old. Sound like a good idea? Should my livestock survive this process?

wolfie · 10-18-2005, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knightking21

I'm thinking of buying the new tank placing it on the ground in the same room, then tanking the water and livestock out of the old tank and putting it in the new. Then remove the empty old tank from the stand placing it on the ground next to the new tank and transfering from new to old. Then finally i would put the empty new tank on the stand and pump the water up into the new from the old. Sound like a good idea? Should my livestock survive this process?

you have no LR or sand in your tank? Well if you have LR and sand in your tank then it going to be hard doing it that way. The weight of LR and sand can break the bottom of your new tank if you have to lift it up to put it on the stand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWD

a few rubbermaid tubs ( big ones) then save as much water as You can. The remove old tank and replace with new and then You can make any type of change to the rock sand bed or what ever. be good to go, Finish in a half day

this 1 is the way to go if you have to change your tank.

This is the way I would also go if I have to change out my tank, but with a few add in I learn from TRT. I am going to add an eggcrate and lots of 1inch pip 4inch long with hold in them to hold up my LR. I am even thinking of supper glue my 1 inch pip to my base rock so it will be set and not moveable.

Stang69 · 10-18-2005, 10:04 AM

Is the the tank level and plumb?

Perhaps if it isnt this may cause the silicone to give way.

Just a guess but possiable.

Jeff

knightking21 · 10-18-2005, 01:44 PM

I was planning on moving all of my live rock from old tank to new tank and then when the old tank is on the ground move back to old tank befor putting in the new tank on the stand---just wondering if there was an easier way?
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also, the tank is level

skeety · 10-18-2005, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knightking21

just wondering if there was an easier way?
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also, the tank is level

yep. already mentioned, I think.

Get a VERY large rubbermade tub or garbage can or 2, and move from your broken tanks contents into there.

Then put your new tank up.

then move the stuff back out of the tub, and into your new tank.

for $30-40, you'll save an extra move of your LR/water/critters/etc.

All a matter of what your time is worth.

alaskaknucklehead · 10-18-2005, 01:49 PM

How bout that salt creep? Any?